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Bighorn River Fly Fishing At Its Best!

Cottonwood Camp is a complete and full service lodging, outfitting, camping, and recreational facility for fly fishers and vacationers alike. Cottonwood Camp opened on Montana’s famed Bighorn River in 1981. A business built on word of mouth, Cottonwood Camp has become a tradition for those seeking the best of Bighorn River fly fishing.

The Bighorn River is well-known throughout the world for the superb fly fishing it offers. The first thirteen miles–from Afterbay Access to Bighorn Access–have more trout per mile and a bigger average trout size than any other river in Montana. You probably have a better chance of catching a trout over 20 inches on the Bighorn than on any other river in Montana. Bighorn trout are extremely healthy because of the river’s excellent food supply. They are wonderful fighters and very acrobatic. Dry fly fishing, nymphing, and fishing streamers can all be productive for much of the year. The Bighorn River is open and very fishable the entire year. Peak fishing times are from April till the end of September. If you are looking for some solitude we recommend booking your stay during the months of October or March.

Cottonwood Camp is nestled under towering cottonwood trees on twenty-two acres of well-kept lawns, surrounded by uninhabited fields and marshes, within sight and walking distance of the Bighorn River. We have thirteen lodging units–all complete with full kitchens, 11 with full baths. There are sixteen recreational vehicle sites and a large camping area. We have two large bath houses, with modern restroom and shower facilities, as well as a coin operated laundry mat.

We also have a Fly Shop fully stocked with flies and gear that you may need. The fly shop sells fishing licenses and doubles as a small convenience store. Free wireless internet is available throughout the property.

We are located in eastern Montana, 90 miles from Billings, Montana, to the north and 90 miles from Sheridan, Wyoming, to the south. It is an easy drive from either direction.

Cottonwood Camp also provides guide services. Whether you are spending one day or one week on the “Horn”, time spent with a dedicated guide who can show you fly fishing techniques, secret honey holes, and hot flies, will be money well spent on your Bighorn River fly fishing experience.

We are very proud of our business. We invite you to become a part of the Bighorn Tradition that is Cottonwood. The Camp is open March 15th – November 10th.

Reviews

On our 10th year, staff and owners are the best yet!!
We have never been disappointed with our stay. It is always the highlight of our fishing year. Being from Colorado and fishing lots that says it all !!!

Stayed there in our fifth wheel for two nights in 2017. Plain sites w/electricity on a flat grassy area. Floated my inflatable boat down the river 2 days in a row. Caught a nice Brown, couple of decent rainbows and dozens of small rainbows/cutthroats.

Cottonwood Camp has been my favorite since the 80's. .....and I have seen improvements every year.......and it offers the best of service to the fly fisherman who enjoys camping near the Bighorn River........Knowledgeable owners, a friendly informative staff, a well stocked fly shop, clean restrooms and showers, and a quiet spacious clean campground and I have called it my home away from home for years......

Wonderfully friendly, knowledgeable staff. Nice cabin. The one drawback for me was the bed on the bottom, in the back bedroom. Two people could not sleep on it, without rolling into the center! LOL Very clean accommodations. Nice barbecue. AIR CONDITIONING (the less intrepid of the group exclaims!) Looking very much forward to a return trip!! Don't miss out on this little treasure!

Friendly staff. Clean campgrounds. Phil, the owner, is a very nice man who is wealth of knowledge about the area and the fishing. Cottonwood has awesome guides who know the water. Brady was our guide one day and was very knowledgeable and kind. Highly recommended for anyone who plans to fish the Big Horn River or its surrounding areas.

We stay here several times a year in the summer! It's beautiful, quiet, well-kept, and very convenient for us not having to drive all the way back to Billings after a long day of boating on Yellowtail!

Thank you Phil for volunteering as a Casting for Recovery for Recovery guide. I can't imagine having anyone else guide me down the Bighorn. Your generosity offered me the chance of a lifetime! Keep that cowboy hat on!